Wildlife and Water: Development Risks and Tourism Opportunities
Wildlife and water are key elements of both terrestrial and marine ecosystems. St.
Maarten, located just 60 km north of St. Eustatius, offers a case study of both the
economic benefits of a robust tourism industry and the risks associated with rapid
development. Pollution and other forms of environmental degradation pose a severe
threat to both natural ecosystems and the sustainability of the tourism industry. An
analysis of the impacts of development on St. Maarten's wetland and marine
environments illustrates pitfalls to be avoided and the importance of sustainability as a
key component of a long-term development plan. Sustainable tourism opportunities
related to wildlife and marine life are presented as an engine for economic growth,
offering the potential for differentiation in a crowded Caribbean tourism marketplace and
a boost for local businesses, keeping tourism revenues within the local economy.
Presentation Outline
 Introduction
o Speaker background
o Areas of study
 Wildlife research
 Wildlife education
 Sustainable tourism based on authentic local experiences
o Presentation in three parts
 Wildlife and water
 Development and its risks (Case Study: St. Martin)
 Sustainable tourism opportunities
 Part One: Wildlife and Water
o Water-dependent terrestrial wildlife
 Seabirds
 Shorebirds
 Other birds and animals
o Marine wildlife
 Fish
 Marine invertebrates
 Part Two: Development Risks (Case Study: St. Martin)
o Development history
 Mid-20th Century shift towards tourism
 Major infrastructure built in early 1960s
 Increasing tourism development and revenues through 21st Century
 Focus on traditional mass tourism
 Summary of economic development
o Environmental history
 Rapid increase in population
 Destruction and development of natural spaces, including wetlands
 Comparison of natural and human landscapes over the course of
development
 Growth outpaces landfill, sewage treatment


 Pollution and other issues impacting water
 Visual summary of current environmental issues
o Impacts on tourism & resident population
 Visible environmental degradation
 Public health risks
 Negative press
 Destruction of historic and nature sites, local heritage
Part Three: Sustainable tourism opportunities
o Experiential tourism market opportunities
 High-value
 Growing market
 Lower environmental impact
 Lower revenue leakage
 Incentive for sustainable development
 Embraces local culture and history
o Holistic approach and best practices
 Use wildlife, marine life, history, culture, archaeology together
 Develop a coherent story of the island that brings multiple
elements together
 Provide authentic local experiences
 Cooperation of government, non-profit and private sectors
Conclusions
o Natural environment is a valuable asset
o Rapid development can lead to increased revenues
o Rapid development can also cause severe environmental damage
o Sustainable development based on authentic local heritage experiences can
bring economic growth while preserving local culture and environment